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Arctic blast Christmas: Georgia to see coldest temperatures in 5 years

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Updated  December 21, 2022 7:37pm EST
Winter Weather
FOX 5 Atlanta

Wednesday morning weather forecast

Wednesday is starting out quiet, but it's the calm before the chill as the arctic blast makes its way across the country.

ATLANTA - Friday morning will see some of the coldest air in five years move into Georgia just in time for Christmas.

The temperatures dropped on Tuesday as a light rain moved through Georgia.

Some area in extreme north Georgia saw some patchy freezing drizzle in the higher elevations.

Photos shared with FOX 5 from Sky Valley, Georgia, on the North Carolina line show exactly that.

PREPPING YOUR HOME AND CAR FOR FREEZING TEMPS

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  (Shared with FOX 5)

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The remainder of the week will be cloudy and cool. Showers will switch over to some light snow on Thursday night across part of north Georgia, but everyone around the state will feel the dramatic drop in temperature.

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Expect a 30-degree fall in less than five hours. 

Accumulation should be minimal, if any. The extreme north Georgia mountains will see less than an inch, with only a dusting expected closer to metro Atlanta.

There are concerns of icy conditions after the dramatic temperature drop on Friday, especially on the roadways.

The cold will settle in over the weekend. Highs will struggle to get out of the 20s and lower 30s on Friday and Saturday.

Lower temperatures will be between five and 20 degrees Friday and Saturday nights.

Gusty winds will also move in this weekend with dangerously low wind chill values forecasted as low as -5 to -15 degrees at times during the early morning for north Georgia.

A Wind Chill Watch will be in effect late Thursday night. That watch will cover most of Georgia through Saturday morning.

Winds will be out of the northwest at 15 to 20 mph with frequent gusts of 30 to 40 mph likely. Higher gusts are possible in the higher terrain.

Wind chills could result in hypothermia if appropriate precautions are not taken.

Flash Freeze is possible Friday morning. 

This could make road conditions unsafe if there is any leftover precipitation or water leaks.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be sunny and very cold, but dry.

Winter Safety Tips

Metro Atlanta bracing for freezing winter weather

We're already feeling the bitter cold throughout metro Atlanta, and it's going to get much colder. Good Day's Britney Edney recommends some things you should do to prepare so the cold doesn't cost you in the end.

The City of Brookhaven has a plethora of tips to help you get through this frigid weather. The list was prepared by Emergency Management Supervisor Sergeant Matthew Murray:

  • Remember the three "P’s": Pets, Plants and Pipes. Pets should be brought inside; plants should be covered or brought inside; and faucets (both hot and cold) should be left dripping when the temperatures drop below freezing. Insulate water heaters and pipes, especially external spigots. Unhook outside hoses.
  • Turn off automatic sprinklers and check for any other leaks that could freeze and become a hazard to your family or other residents.
  • Learn how to shut off utilities safely in the event of burst pipes or electrical failure.
  • Stock up on fuel and get an alternative heat source. Consider alternative heat sources like firewood or a generator in case the electricity goes out.  If you already have a generator, make sure it’s in good working order.
  • Prepare a "72-hour" kit consisting of the bare essentials to handle the initial brunt of a power outage. Add coats, extra socks, hand/foot warmers, blankets, and long sleeve shirts to your kit. Also include non-perishable canned goods, a battery-operated radio, sterno canned heat, and disposable eating utensils. Have extra flashlights and batteries in supply and try to keep candle use to a minimum to lower the risk of accidental fires.
  • Review heater safety with your family---Cold weather and loss of power leads to use of indoor heaters that can increase house fire risks. Teach your kids how to respect space heaters and give that chimney and furnace a little TLC in advance so they don’t break or fail when the need arises.
  • Make sure your car is ready for the cold: Check tires, antifreeze and other fluid levels.  Update your car’s emergency kit with blankets, an ice scraper, snack food, hand/foot warmers, an emergency blanket, and a small shovel. You can also add a flashlight and a 12-volt adapter coil heater that can plug into the lighter to heat water.
  • Keep supplies of medication on hand, enough to last a few days. Also add the phone numbers of older or disabled neighbors to your phone contacts, just in case. Also have cell phones configured for automatic weather alerts.